Travelodge to open 17 new UK hotels - creating 360 jobs

Hotel chain Travelodge have announced plans for 17 new hotels this year, creating more than 360 new jobs across the UK.

The 17 new hotels will see Travelodge increase its portfolio to 597 UK, Irish and Spanish locations, with bosses hoping they’ll be open for business by summer.

Cash of £175 million from third-party investors will fund the new hotels, including an expansion of Travelodge’s higher-end self-styled “budget chic” hotels.

Travelodge launched the concept in 2018, with Travelodge Plus “budget chic” hotels being afforded an identity akin to premium economy airline seats on a plane.

Three new Travelodge Plus hotels, one in St Albans and two in London, are planned, with 14 extra properties in prime locations across the UK in total.

Craig Bonnar, Travelodge chief executive, said: “After a challenging 12 months, today’s announcement demonstrates the strength in the Travelodge brand and is a key step forward as we emerge out of lockdown.”

Two of the 17 new hotels have already opened: the London Mile End Travelodge Plus and Portsmouth City Centre Travelodge Plus.

Last summer the firm swerved bankruptcy after convincing landlords to cut millions of their rent bills - saving an estimated £144 million.

During the pandemic, hotels have only been open to frontline workers, with holidaymakers and business travellers barred from travel.

The 17 Travelodge hotels expected to open in 2021 are:

1. Boston (Lincolnshire)

2. Bristol Avonmouth

3. Bristol Emersons Green

4. Farringdon (Oxfordshire)

5. Kendal (Lake District)

6. Leicester city centre

7. London Elephant & Castle (Travelodge Plus)

8. London Manor House (Travelodge Plus)

9. London Peckham

10. Mansfield

11. Newark-on-Trent

12. Poole

13. Rochdale

14. Sandwich

15. St Albans (Travelodge Plus)

16. Walton-on-Thames

17. Witney